Chalazion

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Eye

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Chalazion

Alternative Names:

Meibomian gland lipogranuloma

Treatment:

The primary treatment is application of warm compresses for 10 - 15 minutes at least 4 times a day. This may soften the hardened oils blocking the duct and promote drainage and healing.

Chalazia will often disappear without treatment within a month or so. If one continues to enlarge, it may need to be surgically removed using local anesthesia. This is usually done from underneath the eyelid to avoid a scar on the skin. Antibiotic eye drops are usually used several days before and after removal of the cyst, but are otherwise of little value in treating a chalazion.

A chalazion that keeps coming back should be biopsied to rule out tumor.

Expectations (prognosis):

Chalazia usually heal on their own. The outcome with treatment is usually excellent.

Complications:

A large chalazion can cause astigmatism due to pressure on the cornea. This will resolve with resolution of the chalazion.

Calling your health care provider:

Apply warm compresses and call your health care provider if the swelling progresses or persists longer than 1 month.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if lumps on the eyelid continue to enlarge despite treatment or are associated with an area of eyelash loss.

Review Date: 10/31/2004
Reviewed By: Edward B. Feinberg, MD, MPH, Professor and Chair, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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